Prep Year Level Description The Religion curriculum involves four strands: Sacred Texts, Beliefs, Church and

Christian Life. These strands are interrelated and should be taught in an integrated way; and in ways that are appropriate to specific local contexts. In Prep, students learn about some Old Testament and New Testament stories that tell of a God of love, the creator of all; the goodness of Gods creation, Gods special relationship with all of creation and Gods plan that people help each other to live safely and happily together, for the good of all. Students listen to, read and view stories of and about Jesus in the Gospels that tell of Jesus life as a Jew, his mother Mary, his friends and family; of Jesus praying and teaching others to pray; of his teachings about love, compassion and forgiveness that challenged people about the way they were living; and of his suffering, death and resurrection. They learn that Christians believe God created people with the freedom to choose between good and bad, right and wrong. They explore examples of times when people make these choices, from familiar texts and their personal experience. Students understand that prayer helps believers follow the teachings of Jesus; to live according to Gods plan. They learn about ways in which believers pray, either alone or with others, including the Sign of the Cross and Amen. They observe ways in which believers pray together during special celebrations and rituals that mark important times in the life of believers and in the Church year. They learn about the Church building as a sacred place for believers and the Bible as a sacred book for believers.

Prep Achievement Standard By the end of Prep, students communicate clearly their ideas, feelings and thoughts about God, the goodness of Gods creation and Gods plan that people help each other to live safely and happily together, for the good of all. They identify connections between some Old Testament stories and their personal experience, including experience of the goodness of creation. They listen and respond to stories of and about Jesus in the Gospels that tell of Jesus life as a Jew, his mother Mary, his friends and family; of Jesus praying and teaching others to pray; and of his suffering, death and resurrection. They recognise Jesus teachings about love, compassion and forgiveness that challenged people about the way they were living. They relate examples of people having the freedom to choose between good and bad, right and wrong. Students understand that prayer helps believers to follow the teachings of Jesus; to live according to Gods plan. They recognise ways in which believers pray, either alone or with others, using word, music, action, silence, images, symbols and nature and participate with respect in a variety of these prayer experiences, including meditation, the Sign of the Cross and Amen. They describe ways in which believers pray together during special celebrations and rituals that mark important times in the life of believers and in the Church year.